Motor Trend Review

[asv]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._bmw_135i_test

My favorite Quote.

"I'm blown away by this little stealth fighter. I can't recall another car that's been more surprising to drive; I expected the 135i to offer solid performance, but it's breathtakingly quick. Refined, too-it's a bona-fide BMW. Direct and communicative steering feel, bags of grip. An absolute blast to drive."


Looks like the R&T number is right on:

While BMW claims the 135i sprints to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, our test machine consistently ripped off 4.7-second runs, easily besting the factory estimate, and buzzed through the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds at 105.6 mph. Under braking, the 135i's six-piston front brakes, and wide, sticky tires haul it to rest from 60 mph in an impressive 102 feet, and the 1's average lateral acceleration checked in at 0.94 g.

[natedog_1959]

Wow, 102 feet and .94 g on RFT's. This thing is going to be phenomenal on better tires. Nate

[larryn]

Holy cow! These numbers almost look like typos! 102 Feet? That bests R&T's own testing of the Ferrari 599 Fiorano by 3 feet.

[IDBMW]

I hope to put these Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3’s on my 135i. The rear wheels/tires are the same size as the 135i but the front wheels are 1/2” wider. They made the Z4 ride smoother and corner better. Last week I put the OEM Brigstone’s back on and you can really tell the difference. If you go this non RTF route don’t forget to carry an air compressor and slime. I found the BMW unit on e-bay.

[Crowley]

very nice ..

Crowley

[E82tt6]

25.2 sec @ 0.76 g on their figure 8 test. That's only a touch behind the E92 M3, and on par with the ISF. Quicker than the last E46 M3 Comp Package car that they tested. Also on par with Evo X, and STI.

Furthermore, compare these numbers to G37 and 335i, they aren't even close: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...335/specs.html

Road course time of 2'42 isn't bad compared to 2'39 from C63 AMG.

[ChrisK]

This is the best sports car....I mean sedan you can buy! :biggrin:

[Yearofthe1]

Originally Posted by natedog_1959

Wow, 102 feet and .94 g on RFT's. This thing is going to be phenomenal on better tires. Nate

Would someone be able to give a quick and dirty explaination why RFT's are so inferior to non-RFT's? Thank you!

[Robert]

Even though we all know this little car of ours hauls ass, it is always nice to hear reassuring comments. Can't get enough of them, actually. Let us hope this car stays as a secret.

[mistermojorizin]

Originally Posted by E82TT6

25.2 sec @ 0.76 g on their figure 8 test. That's only a touch behind the E92 M3, and on par with the ISF. Quicker than the last E46 M3 Comp Package car that they tested. Also on par with Evo X, and STI.

Furthermore, compare these numbers to G37 and 335i, they aren't even close: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...335/specs.html

Road course time of 2'42 isn't bad compared to 2'39 from C63 AMG.

thanks for the info I was wondering about this

[Jewpac]

And those times are with an automatic? Were the acceleration times also done at Reno-Fernley? If so that is fairly high above sea-level.

[mistermojorizin]

Originally Posted by Yearofthe1

Would someone be able to give a quick and dirty explaination why RFT's are so inferior to non-RFT's? Thank you!

runflats have to be made of a harder compound so that they can take some stress even without air. as you may know the softer the compound the more grip. Also, the sidewalls are more rigid for the same reason and produce the same effect.

i gotta say runflats have one advantage other than the need for a spare. from personal experience, if your runflat blows out on a wet road mid turn, you don't have to loose control of the car.

[me1.0]

Originally Posted by IDBMW

If you go this non RTF route don’t forget to carry an air compressor and slime.

Doesn't the slime interfere/ruin the sensors that monitor tire pressure? Please correct me if I am wrong.

[IDBMW]

Originally Posted by me1.0

Doesn't the slime interfere/ruin the sensors that monitor tire pressure? Please correct me if I am wrong.

Does the 135i have TPMS sensors? I did notice the valve stems are metal like the TPMS on my Toyota Tacoma. My Z4 uses the ABS sensor to detect a wheel spinning faster which means low tire. I like ABS sensor system better since you can change wheels and not worry about sensors in the wheels. Since I run winter and summer wheels/tires on my Tacoma I put the sensors in a 2” PVC tube, caped the ends, installed a valve stem in one cap. Added air and put the unit in the storage under the back seat. No blinking TPMS dash light.

[mchaskell]

Originally Posted by IDBMW

Does the 135i have TPMS sensors? I did notice the valve stems are metal like the TPMS on my Toyota Tacoma. My Z4 uses the ABS sensor to detect a wheel spinning faster which means low tire. I like ABS sensor system better since you can change wheels and not worry about sensors in the wheels. Since I run winter and summer wheels/tires on my Tacoma I put the sensors in a 2” PVC tube, caped the ends, installed a valve stem in one cap. Added air and put the unit in the storage under the back seat. No blinking TPMS dash light.

Yes, the 135 has TPMS.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Yearofthe1

Would someone be able to give a quick and dirty explaination why RFT's are so inferior to non-RFT's? Thank you!

Apparently some of the "all-season" run flats on the 3 series weren't up to snuff, according to reviews posted on Tire Rack. However, after wringing out my Z4 with the OEM Bridgestone 050s on the Dragon, I had no complaints about their handling. My reasons for replacing them (after 30,000 miles of excellent service) with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s were price, a slightly better ride, and a bit less tramlining.

The issue isn't so much run-flats as it is which run-flat versus which standard tire.

Tom

[larryn]

True, the RE055A RFTs aren't that bad, and have a wear rating of 140, which is very soft and sticky. It's the added weight and sidewall thickness that make them a bit less forgiving.

I went thru my 1st set of them on the e90 in 9k miles, so be careful out there guys...

[Hypnoz]

So when you get new tires are you required to get run flats due to the TPMS?

[larryn]

No, run whatever you want, but be mindful of having a flat without a spare. Tire goo or fix-a-flat ruins the TPMS sensors located inside the tires.

[Tom K.]

I've been carrying a 12v compressor and plug kit. The act of stowing this stuff in the trunk has prevented flats for over 10k miles!
Tom

[Yearofthe1]

Thanx for the info on the rft's everyone. I was confused at what all the fuss was about since these are the same tires that came stock on the Enzo. I didn't think they could be that bad!

[Yearofthe1]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Apparently some of the "all-season" run flats on the 3 series weren't up to snuff, according to reviews posted on Tire Rack. However, after wringing out my Z4 with the OEM Bridgestone 050s on the Dragon, I had no complaints about their handling. My reasons for replacing them (after 30,000 miles of excellent service) with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s were price, a slightly better ride, and a bit less tramlining.

The issue isn't so much run-flats as it is which run-flat versus which standard tire.

Tom

I think I'll be switching to the GS-D3's after the factory set are worn to pieces. I've run these on my civic during the warmer months and they are truly stunning tires. They completely transformed the handling capabilities of my car. I can't wait to see what they have in store for the 135i.